The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-04-07

Florida, for longer period than that worthy
slumbered among the peaks of the Catskills, has
al last been broken, and the piercing shrek of
many locomotives, the sound Of the builders
hammer and the whir of busy machinery will
serve to keep her awake, let us hope, as long
as grass grows and water runs. Three years
ago the first signs of actual awakening appeared;
first she stirred uneasily, then opened her eyes
and dreamily looked at the situation. then
yawned and sat up and, now, finally, has arisen
to her feet and is fully and finally awake TO the
needs Of the times
Tallahassee and Middle Florida! The fair
est country kissed by the sun of southland; wood
by warm winds and blue skies; carpeted with
flowers and crowned by all the products.of the
earth. Her hills and dales-.her plains and lakes
her bright streams and leafy forests have been
wasting their sweetness upon the desert air
for, 10, these many years and having grown
tired of the blushing unseen business, are about
to bring their countless merits before an ap
precistive public.
THE OLD CAPITAL CITY,
has been the first in Middle Florida to feel the
throb OF progress and if one-half Of the schemes
now agitated for her benefit and development
shall be carried to completion they will, In an
other decade, make her the metropolis Of her
State.
The country in which Tallahassee is located
Is as near perfection to the eye in its scenery and
to the pocket In its productiveness as it is well
possible for 1t to be. We have been conserva-
tive people; In fact we are too conservative. So
much so that 1t has been urged against US that
we have made boast of being 1.-The same yes
terday, to-day and forever" Amid all the won
derful development of our State, Tallahassee
has rested calm and serene-content with the
goods the gods have given her; seeing villages
made where had been waste Places seeing vii
lagos: develop into towns, and towns spring into
cities, with never a throb of envy or desire to
compete in the race betrayed upon her placid
countenance. But q change has come DER the
spirit of her dreams A person who had visited
the SLEEPY old capitol" year or two since
would scarcely recognize the people of ITALIA
hassee to-day. The spirit Of progress has pos
sessed US; the manifold advantages of our
land, location and climate has attracted
the omnipresent tourist and he has awakened an
emulation and an energy OF improvement has
taken such complete possession of every one that
the population is metamorphosed. Our town is
filled with people looking for locations and every
train brings fresh accesions to the ranks of those
who have been attracted by the
BEAUTY AND FERTILITY
of our land.
No better indication Of This progress can be in
stanced than the wonderful success which has
attended the two auction sales Of lots in our
beautiful suburb of Villa Mitchell, during the
past ten days. The first sale held under Colonel
H. j. Raffensperger's auspices. took place on
Wednesday, March 3Olh, and was fully describ-
ed in )ast weeks paper; the second occurred last
Wednesday and more than justified the expec-
tations which had been raised by the phenomo-
nal success OF the first.
Early Wednesday morning crowds could be
seen vending their way toward the wooded
slopes, south OF the city, among which Villa
Mitchell nestles and by eleven o'clock fully five
hundred people had gathered and were strolling
over the various plats of ground to be offered for
sale. At noon an elegant luncheon was served.
In the grounds surrounding the old homestead.
which occupied the attention Of the concourse
uutu oVOut A'OV r. ia. az Iiot hVut SVWuCt As1-
fensperger announced that the sale would be
opened, and preceded by the band, every one set
off to the adjoining suburb.
The band and the auctioneer's carriage halted
upon plat No. 10, one square from Leon Park,
and Colonel Ra6ensperger briefly announced the
terms and manner of sale, which were, that there
would be a6solutsly no by bidding" that every
piece of property offered would be sold. and sold
only TO
BONA FIDE PURcHAsERs;
that one lot In block would be offered at a
time, and that the buyer would have the option
Of taking one, or as many lots In that block as
he chose. at the price Of the first one sold, and
that fifteen dollars cash would be required upon
each lot. aud one-half OF the purchase money In
ten days from date OF SALE He also read a large
number Of letters and kilograms received from
abroad. from parties who were unable to attend
personally. purchasing let's and blocks Of lots.
X. A. Shine, the auctioueer, Immediately
opened the ball, and the bidding was brisk and
spirited. The auctioneer kept every one In
good humor BY his ssllies, and, after an hour
and half Of good work, the sales ground was
rerApved TO Railroad avenue, and the auction
Continued until supper time. In the evening. n